Prop. 8: Bay Area greets gay marriage rulings with joy

Dressed in a green gown and Statue of Liberty headpiece, Lemos stood on the steps of San Francisco City Hall waving a rainbow flag as the U.S. Supreme Court announced it had struck down the federal Defense of Marriage Act and California's Proposition 8 ban on same-sex marriage.

"Greeks can be dramatic," the 42-year-old immigrant from Athens said of his costume.

"If I find the right person, I too can get married -- imagine that, enjoying equality under the law," said Lemos, a UC San Francisco professor and San Francisco Medical Examiner's forensic director. "I feel vindicated. This was the way it had to go."

Inside City Hall -- where the issuance of marriage licenses to same-sex couples in 2004 helped spark the legal battles that led to today's rulings -- a packed crowd of hundreds initially stood silent as the decisions were announced, and then began cheering as the effects became clear. At least one pair of brides-to-be embraced as others waved "I do" placards.

Lt. Gov. Gavin Newsom, who as mayor had ordered the marriage licenses issued in 2004, received a hero's welcome. He praised San Francisco as a city that "celebrates our diversity each and every day." He said today's rulings prove that citizens exercising moral authority can change the world.

"It's messy, it's complex, there are good days and bad days, but it's worth this journey that we're on," Newsom said.

Kate Kendell, executive director of the National Center for Lesbian Rights, was more succinct.